Whorl latch



Sept. 6, 1932. o. w. scHAuM v WHORL LATCB Filed Dec. 27, 1930 @X 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OTTO W. SCHAUM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNOR T0 FLETCHER WORKS, INCORPORATED, OF PHILADELPHIA, BENNSYTJYANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA WHORL LATQE Application filed December 27,1930. Serial No. 505,092,

My invention relates to improvements in whorl latches for spinning and twisting machines, and has for one of its objects the provision of a whorl latch which is of simple construction, neat appearance and which nevertheless will withstand the rough usage to which it is subjected.

lVith my improved construction the whorl latch may be made by automatic machinery, the latch support being applied to the base or step after the same has been made, thereby resulting in considerable saving in the cost of manufacture.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a latch construction which can be readily operated by the thumb and finger of the operator or with one finger of either hand as compared with latches of previous constructions wherein a tool is required to operate the latch. My improved latch is also so constructed and arranged that the same can be operated by inserting the spout of an oil-can under the lower portion thereof, this being an advantage inasmuch as the operator when oiling the machine is required to hold an oil-can in one hand and raise the blade and whorl with the other leaving no hand free to operate the latch.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a latch which may be raised out of operative position so that the same will rest against the whorl and remain in that position, the removal of the whorl causing the latch to return to operating position.

In the drawing wherein I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention:

Fig. l is a sectional elevation of my improved whorl latch.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the latch in detail.

Referring to the drawing in detail: 1 designates a spindle blade rotatable vertically in a roller bearing bolster 2. This bolster rests upon a base 3 the lower portion of which is screw-threaded at 4 whereby the same is secured to the machine. The base 3 is provided with a shoulder 5 against which a latch support 6 is pressed, this latch support being of pressed steel and provided with a hole. of the properdiameter to makea press fit on thehousing. The upwardly extending portion 6 of the latch support 6 is provided with :1 turned over portion 7 to support a stud 8 which carries a latch 9 pivoted intermediate its. ends on the stud 8.

A whorl 101 is iirictionally held on the; spin-- (110 1 and has itslower end provided with a flange 11. The latch 9' is provided with whorl engaging portions.- 12 which when the; latch is in operating position ar in. the path. oi the flange 11.- of the whorl. Th other end 13-of the latch extends down-wardlywhen he latch is. in. operative position, the. lower nd. extending oatof; the plane-oi the adjacent portion of the, upport whereby an. actuating l-ip or projection 14 is provided so. that the spontof; an oil-canor the finger of the oper. ator may readily be inserted beneath this li-p to rotate. the. latch about its pivot 8 out of. operative position.

It will. be noted that the la ch may be. moved out 9113 operative position by pivoting the portion 13 to bring the center oi gravity of the latch bot-ween the pivot 8: and the whorl so that the latch will remain in the dotted line position ot Fig. 1. When the latch is. in this inoperative position it will be. obvious that. the whorl may be removed, the flange 11 on the whorl duringthis op. eration engaging the tail 13 of the latch so that; the same will fall about its pivot into perative or normal position. Of course in placing the whorl again, in position the flange 11 will engage the latch to move, the same downwardly sufficiently to permit the flange, to pass.

While I have illustrated and described a preie-rred form of my invention it is o understood that I do not wish to be limited to this; precise: arrangement and construct-101.1 inasmuch as. various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In combination, a whorl, a latch therefor, a support for the latch, said latch being pivoted intermediate its ends on said support whereby the latch may be rotated to bring its center of gravity between its pivot and the whorl, said pivot being so located that the latch will be held by gravity in both 61 latching and unlatched positions.

2. In combination, a flanged whorl a spindle blade, a latch' support, a latch for said whorl pivoted intermediate its ends to. said support and provided with. a weighted portion and awhorl-enga'ging portion, said whorl engaging portion being normallyin' the path of said flange, said latch being ,ro tatable on said support to a position where the weighted portion will rest against thel5 whorl and be sustained in that position until engaged by.the flange of the whorl upon re moval of thewhorl, suchflmovement of the whorl moving the latch -to such-position that it will be-carried by gravity to its normal operative position. 3. In combination, a flanged whorl, a latch support, a whorl latch pivotally mounted 'on said support, a portion of said latch when the; latch is in operative position projecting out of the plane of the adjacentportion of said support to facilitate the pivoting of said latch out of operative position to a' position where the projecting-portion of the-latch will engage the whorl, removal of the whorl with the-latch in said inoperative position pivoting the latch in the-opposite direction to a position where it willbe restored by gravity to its original operative position;

4. A whorl 'latch,'and a support thereforto which said latch ispivoted, the pivot of said latch being so disposed relatively-to the center of gravity of the latch that gravity tends to maintain the latch :in latching posi-- ion, and to maintain the latch in=unlatched position upon rotation of the latch'through an arc less than 360. I

-5. A whorl latch, a support therefor to which the latch is pivoted the center of rota tion of the latch being an appreciable distance from its center of gravity, said latch having a body portion and a whorl engaging portion the latter holding the whorl latched against removal when the body portion of the latch engages the said support, removal of the 'whorl being permit-ted when the latch is rotated until its said body portion engages the whorl. r 7

'6. In combination, a whorl, a whorl latch,

a spindle blade, said latch being rotatable through an are less than 360 about a horizontal a'xis out of the plane of the spindleblade, said latch having at least two posi tions of rest, one position permitting removal of the whorl, another preventing such re-' moval.

This specification signed this 24th day of December, 1930.

Y OTTO W. SCHAUM; 

